Editor’s note: The following exploratory report was researched by Dina Leigh (formerly Martens). Her memories of being the librarian of the Park Building library are detailed in Recollections of the FF libraries and archives 2000-2006

AN EXPLORATION INTO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FUNCTION AND SERVICE OF THE FINDHORN FOUNDATION PARK LIBRARY DINA MARTENS

MODULE 713006 CZ DECEMBER 2 0 0 2

1: CONTENTS

2: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

3: INTRODUCTION

4: BACKGROUND

5: FUNCTION & SERVICE

6: CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATION

7: APPENDIX

ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

1. QUESTIONNAIRE
2. RESULTS QUESTIONNAIRE
3. COLLATION OF USERS ANSWERS
4. RESULTS OF THE SURVEY
5. TOP TEN OF FAVOURITE SUBJECTS
6. LETTER TO REQUEST AN INTERVIEW BY THE FINDHORN FOUNDATION
7. INTERVIEW
8. LETTER TO THANK THE FINDHORN FOUNDATION FOR THE INTERVIEW A BRIEF REPORT ON RESEARCH METHODS USED

BIBLIOGRAPHY

2: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Many thanks to Angie Mackenzie, senior librarian at UHI Moray Library Elgin, for her guidance and encouragement to undertake this exploration.

I also wish to express my gratitude to the Findhorn Foundation for allowing me to use the library for my project. Many thanks to Hanna Morjan for her invaluable assistance and support.

Also many thanks to the users of the Park library for their co-operation, appreciation and feedback.

3: INTRODUCTION

The idea for the investigation came when I heard someone saying “oh are you working in the library, that dusty place with old books ?” Newly appointed as committed volunteer of the Findhorn Foundation Park library I felt all my enthusiasm shrink. How could it be possible that people connected with the Findhorn Foundation, which is a spiritual centre in co-creation with nature, encompassing education and nature think that about their library? This investigation hopefully will clarify why some people have a negative image of the library.

An objective of the investigation was to define the needs of the users through a questionnaire. One part of the questionnaire consists of answering direct questions about collection, service and location and the other part is about giving feedback. This will probably not only reflect the users needs but also the users involvement and enthusiasm for the library.

In order to get a picture of the number of users and interest in special subjects, a survey was drawn up.

The library has a specific collection, with emphasis on spirituality, healing and education, but also has a small general section. It will be very interesting to see what users choose, from the spiritual or general collection. All the issued and returned items will be recorded on a list by subject, which can be general or special.

A further objective was to clarify the subjective: service, funding and future steps of the Findhorn Foundation organisation. To hear their side of the story an interview with the Park campus focaliser, as a representative of the Findhorn Foundation organisation was arranged. It is essential to know what the providing organisation has planned and is willing to support for the library now and in the future.

The library has neither an income nor a budget, so the existence and what it can offer the users really depends on the Findhorn Foundation organisation.

Finally I aim to create an outline of future steps for the library based on the results of this investigation.

4: BACKGROUND

ORGANISATION

The Park library and archives is set up by the Findhorn Foundation in Morayshire, Scotland which is an international centre of adult education, and of personal and spiritual transformation.

USERS GROUP

The library is primarily offering its services to members and guests of the Findhorn Foundation community, but it is also open to the wider community. Users are often known by name. The age range is from young adulthood onwards, there is no children’s department.

LOCATION

The library is currently situated in a building, which is used as an office and meeting space and as guests accommodation. The library is a place to browse and read books but also a place of quietness and peace. The library is open seven days per week.

COLLECTION

The library is a special library dedicated to a specific subject, which reflects the organisation. The collection of the library is relatively narrow in scope, with emphasis on spirituality, healing and education. The library uses a manual book in card system. The arrangement is books by subject in alphabetical order on author.

FUNDING

The library has a zero budget for new books and library materials. The costs of the building, maintenance, stationery and staff are met by the organisation. A committed volunteer receives one educational credit and one meal voucher per half day shift from the organisation.

STAFF

The Park campus focaliser, as a staff member of the organisation has the overall responsibility for the library. A committed volunteer is in attendance for only three half day shifts per week.

IT

The library has no IT facilities.

5: THE FUNCTION AND SERVICE OF THE PARK LIBRARY

ORGANISATION

The interview with the Park campus focaliser, as a representative of the Findhorn Foundation gave a point of view of the organisation about the library.

The Findhorn Foundation acknowledges the library and archives, as part of the foundation to serve the collective memory. The library is seen as a sacred place of wisdom and as an important resource. It also provides a service for the members, guests and wider community.

The organisation has a keen interest in how the library is kept, because it enriches the Findhorn Foundation community by what it creates.

USERS GROUP

From the survey and the questionnaire it becomes clear that users really appreciate the library service, the collection and the peaceful space.

Most users come at least once a month to browse or to borrow specific books, but also to enquire. Some users pointed out that the library is also appreciated as a place to sit, read and relax.

It is also noted that the library is supported by a small, but growing group of users by donations of books and appreciation of the service provided.

LOCATION

The library is situated in the front room of a building in The Park at Findhorn. It is not easily accessible, because there is no clear guiding and signing. There are still people, who are surprised that there is a library.

In the past the area available to the library has been greatly reduced because the organisation needed space for a lecture room. The library tries to make good use of the limited space, but shelving could be more appropriate. The space has more a living room than a library feeling. Most users find the location inviting except for a few users who recommend upgrading.

COLLECTION

The collection is relatively narrow in scope, with emphasis on spirituality, healing and education. A special library cannot offer as wide a range of subjects as a public library. The library has also a small section on literature. In the questionnaire there was a request for more modern quality novels and for children’s books. At this moment the library can not provide for children, due to the limited space.

FUNDING

The organisation pays all the costs to maintain the library, but has not created a budget for improvements, upgrading or updating stock and professional staff.

Future plans for the library and archives depend on the willingness to support and fund by persons connected with the Findhorn Foundation. Fund raising for the archives has been organised by a person, who is concerned that the legacy of 40 years should be preserved. Another person has a vision of a holistic library with extended facilities.

It seems that the organisation can support the library and archives in their development more with quality than with financial resources.

STAFF

At this moment the library is managed by an enthusiastic committed volunteer, who is a library assistant student at Moray college. The committed volunteer is supported by and has to report to the Park campus focaliser of the Findhorn Foundation. Future developments could be that the library will be part of the education area. This could mean that the staff position in the library has to be reviewed.

IT

The library has no computers, because there is no space and no daily attendance of library staff. A computerised system would be very helpful especially in a “browsing” library. Also the issuing and stockholding would be clearer. But it would mean daily attendance of trained staff, strict opening hours and locked doors. Also not everyone will enjoy computers buzzing in the library. For example users who come to this peaceful and quiet space to sit and read may be disappointed.

6: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

I wanted to explore why people repeat the story that the library is a dusty place with old books. I found that the Findhorn Foundation Park library function and service was seen in a much different way than I anticipated. I expected to observe complaints or lack of interest by the users. How wrong I was, for in reality users are appreciating the library very much.

An objective of the investigation was to define the needs of the users through a questionnaire. This reflected the users needs but also the users involvement and enthusiasm for the library.

In the questionnaire users gave feedback and expressed their involvement with the library. Most of the users found the collection interesting, the location inviting and the service satisfactory. But there were only 14 questionnaires filled in although in the survey there were 176 users registered in the same time. From this rises the question: is there a small, but enthusiastic or a large users group? The results of the questionnaire do not reveal this.

In order to get a picture of the number of users and interest in special subjects, a survey was drawn up. The survey was held in the period 27 September to 15 November 2002.

In total there were 176 users, who borrowed a total of 261 items of which 181 were of the special and 81 of the general collection.

The Park library, as a special library has a collection on spirituality, which reflects the organisation of The Findhorn Foundation. Please note that also the general collection could be spiritual, such as spiritual novels and the psychology of spirituality, etc.

The results of the survey presents clearly the preference for the spiritual genre. Books on Findhorn Foundation and spirituality are favourite but surprisingly literature too.

To clarify the service, funding and future steps of the library an interview was arranged with a representative of the organisation of the Findhorn Foundation. It is essential to know what the providing organisation has planned and is willing to support for the library now and in the future. The interview with the Findhorn Foundation Park campus focaliser gave their point of view about the library.

The Findhorn Foundation acknowledges the library and archives, as part of the foundation to serve the collective memory. The library is seen as a sacred place of wisdom and as an important resource. It also provides a service for the members, guests and wider community.

The organisation has a keen interest in how the library is kept, because it enriches the Findhorn Foundation community by what it creates. The organisation pays all the costs to maintain the library, but has not created a budget for improvements, upgrading or updating stock and professional staff. This does not mean that the organisation does not value the library. It seems that the organisation can support the library more with quality than with financial resources.

Finally I aimed to create an outline of future steps for the library based on the results of this investigation.

Future plans for the library depend on the willingness to support and fund by persons connected with the Findhorn Foundation. It will be a community effort to create the library and archives they need. The organisation is willing to support visions by people, but cannot financially grant it.

A possibility is to fund-raise or to encourage financial donations. Could this be in line with the ethos of the Findhorn Foundation, as a spiritual centre in co-creation with nature, encompassing education and nature? Fund raising for the archives has been organised by a person, who is concerned that the legacy of 40 years should be preserved. It seems that finances and spirituality can go together.

Future developments could be that the library will be part of the education area. This could mean a change for the library, not only financially. It could mean that the staff position, a committed volunteer has to be reviewed. The collection has to be updated, but above all the location has to be upgraded and extended. All these plans are possibilities for the future.

At this moment I, as a committed volunteer can see the library as a welcoming and attractive space. A place where users are encouraged to help to create a library that covers their needs. When users ask for more modern quality novels the library will try to find a way to fulfil this request. The library has no budget for buying books, so it has to use other means. By keeping a focus on and by letting people know that there is such a request is one of the options. There was also a request for children’s books, but the library has limited space. We could create a small “book house or trunk” for children. Maybe someone feels attracted to make that for the library.

Finally how is the effectiveness of the function and service of the Findhorn Foundation Park Library? It seems that the Park library is much appreciated by the providing organisation and their users. The effectiveness is not about quantity but quality, such as joy and community spirit.

7: APPENDIX

ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

THE PARK LIBRARY NEWS FOR THE RAINBOW BRIDGE

(the Findhorn Foundation community magazine)

Looking back on one year in the Park Library I still feel privileged to be here. Slowly I get more familiar with all the beautiful beings in and around the library. I like to thank you all for creating a library that is alive and beating with a warm and joyful heart.

Thank you Constance for the support that you, as my senior librarian have given me. I am glad that you are recovering with a smile.

The flow of new and donated books is quite sparkling, however the return flow is meandering. Some books are on a journey of more than two years ! Many appreciations to the people who return books or leave me a note to reissue. Heartfelt thanks to the people who generously donate books to the library. Thank you so much! And I hope that the angels of efficiency and love will be with the people who would like to return books, and….

Please, could you support me?

As a library student at Moray College in Elgin I have to write a report on an investigation in a library. I would like to explore the effectiveness of the function and service of  The Findhorn Foundation Park Library. I hope you are willing to answer a few questions. It will only take a short time. You will find the questionnaires in the library. The results of the report will be published in the Rainbow Bridge at the end of this year.

Thank you, with love and joy, Dina

COLLATION OF USERS ANSWERS

A questionnaire was composed to define the need of users. The user had the option of ticking a box, to give explanatory answers or to give feedback.

Most users ticked a box and some added words like “mostly” or “very”. Four of the fourteen users gave extended feedback

: a request for children’s books

: a request for signing and guiding in other languages a n appreciation of the library to sit and read

: a request to update the modern literature

: an appreciation of the library in general

Question 1: users had to define how often they visit the library to borrow a book. Most users noted that in general they come once per month but there are also periods of more frequent use. The borrowing of books tends to fluctuate with the need for reference with what is happening in the Findhorn Foundation organisation.

Question 2: users could fill one or more reasons why they come to the library.

The library is primarily offering its services to members and guests of the Findhorn Foundation community, but it is also open to the wider community.

Most users come to browse but it is encouraging to see that almost as many come for a specific book or inquiry. Some users noted that they only come to the library to sit and read.

Question 3 was straightforward: do you find the collection interesting ?

The library collection is relatively narrow in scope, with emphasis on spirituality, healing and education. Almost all users found the collection interesting, although some recommended updating. See also feedback: there is a request for updating modern literature and also for children’s books.

Question 4 was to define how users experience the presentation of the location.

The library is situated in the front room of a building in The Park at Findhorn. It is not easily accessible, because there is no clear guiding and signing. To my surprise most of the users find the location inviting. Just a few users recommend upgrading. From the feedback it becomes clear that users really appreciate the space to sit and read.

Question 5: is about the system as a service to the users. The system in the library is designed for easy access and browsing. The books are arranged on the shelves by subject in alphabetical order on author.

There is also available an index file cabinet in alphabetical order by author and title. The lending system is a manual book in card system, which users are invited to use. In the library are signs and guiding how to use the system. Users find the system clear but it could be better. One user asked if the guiding could be in different languages.

Question 6: are users satisfied with the service?

The users find the service satisfactory but recommend more service. It is not clear what kind of service the user would like more. More service can be extending the collection, with items such as magazines, audio video or IT. It could be a request for a computerised control system, which gives the possibility of search and tracing library loans. Maybe the user would like more service and attendance of staff?

Conclusion:

The answers and feedback clearly gave the impression that the use of the library is more than borrowing books. It seems that most needs of the users are covered satisfactorily.

LETTER TO REQUEST AN INTERVIEW BY THE FINDHORN FOUNDATION, Forres, 2/12/02

Dear Hannah,

As a student studying “Working in Libraries” at the Moray College I have to do an investigation in a library. I would like to explore the effectiveness of the function and service of the Findhorn Foundation Park Library.

To get a picture of the side of the providing organisation, The Findhorn Foundation I hope you are willing to give me an interview.

It will only take a short time. I have put the questions on paper so you can have a look at them beforehand.

I hope it is possible to make a date for next week. Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

With love and joy, Dina

INTERVIEW

I want to explore why people repeat the story that the library is a dusty place with old books.

I hope to find out how to encourage people to come and use the library and see for themselves how it really is.

The title of the report will be ” An exploration into the effectiveness of the function and service of the Findhorn Foundation Park Library”.

My aim is to create a future plan for the library based on this research.

My questions to the Findhorn Foundation, as the providing organisation of the Park library are answered by Hannah Morjan as the Park campus focaliser :

Hannah how important is the library for the F.F.organisation?

The library is a very important resource, because it is very specific. It is seen as a sacred space of wisdom. It also provides a service for the community, the wider community and guests.

The library has not a first priority but is seen to be important. For example the location of the library is desperately needed as a meeting space, but it has been decided to always keep the library as an open space to browse, read and relax.

The library has its place in the organisation. At this moment the library is located in the Park and is therefore part of The park department. Maybe it would be better if the library is part of the educational department, but that is at Cluny Hill College in Forres.

The library has no budget but that does not mean that it is not important. The organisation has a keen interest in how the library is kept.

Does the F.F. organisation hold a vision for the library?

NO. The Findhorn Foundation, as a community has no vision, only individuals can have a vision. In the community there are people with a vision for the library.

Is the library service beneficial for the F.F organisation ?

The service is limited. The service is initially for the community, guests and wider community. Could we live without it? Probably yes. But can we exist without the library is another question. The library is an important resource for the Findhorn Foundation.

Is the library cost-effective for the F.F.organisation?

NO. The costs of heating, electricity, maintenance, library expenses, staff are paid by the organisation. There is no budget and funding is by donations.

In fact cost-effectiveness of the library is the same for the sanctuary; it is not on a material level. It enriches our community by what it creates. The quality of donation is more important than the quantity.

Has the F.F. organisation plans for the future of the library ? The organisation is aware that a person in the community has a vision for the library. This person would like the library to be recognised as a UN library. This vision includes fundraising for a new ecological building. It could be a holistic library with extended facilities, IT and books.

Thank you Hanna.

LETTER TO THANK THE FINDHORN FOUNDATION FOR THE INTERVIEW

Forres, 5 november, 2002

Hi Hannah,

Thank you for the interview. Please, could you have a look at the written record? Let me know if it represents accurately what you said or whether you like to add or amend anything.

with love, Dina.

The survey was also undertaken to get an idea of the number of users in a set period. First of all how can you register users? The library is open seven days per week, with only three half days of staff attendance.

Secondly the manual book in card system is not obligatory. Thirdly there is no registration of users. In the survey I ticked all the names of the users who had filled in a card to borrow or return a book. In case of two or more books by the same user’s name it was only one tick. This gave me an indication of the number of users in a set period. I am also aware that the number of library users fluctuated with what is going on in the Findhorn Foundation, such as conferences or workshops. Again there are no hard facts, the results gave just an indication.

To get a point of view from the Findhorn Foundation organisation, which is providing the library, an interview was conducted. I had structured the interview by creating and giving beforehand five questions: the first is related to what kind of feelings the organisation has towards the library, the second is related to what the motive is for providing the library, the third question is related to the present and past, the fourth is related to facts and results, the fifth is related to the future. I planned a structured interview with one person as a representative of the organisation instead of talking with several people. In this way I hoped to yield useful information in a short time. I am aware that an interviewee gives the point of view of the organisation through ones own experience and that the human memory is notoriously inaccurate but that is also the case with interviewing more people. I choose the Park campus focaliser as a representative for the organisation, because this person is part of the organisation and knows the library very well. The interview went very well, because the interviewee knew the questions, the location, the interviewer and it would not take much time. I just had to listen carefully, offer encouragement to say more about it and write it down. The interviewee was given the opportunity to add or amend the result of the interview. The result of the interview was easy to interpret and has given invaluable information.

The source of literature to support the study was not very fruitful, but fortunately the book “Practical Research” was very helpful to undertake this project.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Thompson, Della (1996)

The Oxford Compact English Dictionary Oxford University Press

Walker, Alex (1994) The Kingdom Within

A Guide to the Spiritual Work of the Findhorn Community Overview of the community experience p.341-343 Findhorn Press

Leedy, Paul D., Ormrod Jeanne Ellis, (2001) Practical Research: planning and design, 7 ed. Library of Congress Cataloging-in- Publication Data pub. Prentice Hall